University of South Carolina Beaufort roundup: Softball improves to 15-1

The University of South Carolina Beaufort softball team rang up two more mercy-rule victories Monday, beating St. Francis (Ind.) 10-2 in six innings and Georgetown (Ky.) 8-0 in five innings in the Smash Hit Softball Classic.

USCB jumped out to a big lead in the first game, scoring a run in the first, three in the second and four in the third. Katie Rietkovich’s two-run home run in the second was the biggest blow, as USCB rapped 15 hits.

The Sand Sharks (15-1) got an outstanding performance from sophomore right-hander Kristy Cook in their second game. Cook held Georgetown to three hits and two walks while striking out two in a five-inning shutout.

USCB produced all the offense it needed with a six-run first inning, as Shelby Zipperer, Maddie Byrd and Missy Hughes each delivered two-run singles.

Junior shortstop C.J. Browder picked up Sun Conference softball player of the week honors for the second time this season after putting up huge numbers at the plate in six games last week. Browder was 11 for 20 with four doubles, three home runs, 16 RBIs and 11 runs scored. Her seven RBIs against St. Ambrose (Iowa) tied a single-game school record.

Five athletes from other USCB teams also received conference player of the week honors Monday.

Senior Kaitlin O’Sullivan was honored for women’s golf after shooting 79-81—160 to lead USCB and tie for 19th at the AASU Pirate Invitational.

Four freshman track and field athletes picked up honors for their performances at the Palmetto Classic, as Pamela Robinson was named the women’s track athlete of the week, Ashlee Eady garnered women’s field athlete of the week status, Domonique Harris was named men’s track athlete of the week, and Josh Roper picked up men’s field athlete of the week honors.

Baseball wins first conference series

The USCB baseball team picked up its first series win in Sun Conference play by sweeping a doubleheader at Florida Memorial on Saturday, winning 17-2 and 5-2 to take two of three in the weekend series.

The Sand Sharks (10-11, 3-6 TSC) took out their frustrations from a tough loss in Friday’s series opener by routing the Lions in the first game. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, USCB scored seven runs over the second through fourth innings and breaking it open with a nine-run sixth.

Sophomore right-hander Junior Delatorre limited the Lions to two runs — one earned — on three hits over six innings in game two. Freshman right-hander Caleb Daniels pitched two scoreless innings and senior right-hander Andrew Barrineau worked a scoreless ninth for the save.

The Sand Sharks continue Sun Conference play this weekend at Thomas University. The series opener is set for 4 p.m. Friday with a doubleheader starting at noon Saturday.

Men’s golf out-duels Seton Hall

The USCB men’s golf team knocked off an NCAA Division I opponent Friday, beating visiting Seton Hall by 10 shots in a dual match at Oldfield Golf Club.

The Sand Sharks posted a team score of 304 on the par-72 layout, with sophomore Chris Finke leading the way with a 74 followed by freshman Cory Cottrell with 76. Sophomore Andrew McCullough and junior Brian Langley rounded out the scoring with 77s, and senior Travis Cashion carded an 82.

Six Sand Sharks competed as individuals with freshman Bradford Curren leading the way with a 75, followed by junior Owen Bell and sophomore Ryan Clancy with 76s, freshman Alex Mihai with an 82, senior Tyler Jacobs with an 83 and sophomore Shane Goldsmith with a 90.

Track takes down more school records

MOUNT PLEASANT — Despite taking a limited squad to the Palmetto Classic on Friday, the USCB track teams brought home 10 school records and two national qualifying standards from the 11-team meet featuring seven NCAA Division I schools.

Eady was the biggest standout for USCB, breaking her own school mark in the high jump with a height of 5 feet, 5 inches — good for a tie for first place and the “B” qualifying standard. She also helped the women’s 4x100 relay team set a school mark of 52.19 seconds.

Sophomore Ty’Chelle Freeman also broke her own school record and achieved a “B” qualifying standard in the shot put with a throw of 43 feet, which placed third.

Roper continued his impressive start to his collegiate career by breaking two of his own school records with throws of 43-8.5 in the shot put and 109-10.5 in the javelin.

Freshman Ciera Love broke her own school record in the 100 meters (13.42), and Robinson set a school mark in the 200 meters (27.93). Love and Robinson also were on the record-setting 4x100 relay team along with Eady and sophomore Becky Hayden.

On the men’s side, Harris ran a school-record time of 22.89 in the 200 meters, sophomore Anthony Vecchio set the school mark and placed third in the mile (4:25.30) and freshman JaCarl Safford set a school record in the 110-meter hurdles (16.34).

The Sand Sharks are back in action Friday at the Georgia Southern Invitational.